Caldwell will get to match wits with Peyton

In his first game as the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, the teacher will be squaring off against his former pupil.

Former Colts coach Jim Caldwell is now responsible for the Baltimore offense, just in time for former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to ride into town with his Broncos.

Though not nearly as compelling as a Dungy-versus-Manning clash would be, given that they won a Super Bowl together and Dungy’s specialty was defense, Caldwell going against Manning is the closest approximation to it.

Indeed, Caldwell was Manning’s position coach from 2002 through 2007, and then his head coach for four years after that. Though Caldwell surely would have had a role in helping defensive coordinator Dean Pees make sure the defense doesn’t crap their pants against Peyton (especially since the Ravens typically don’t match up well with Manning), the ascension of Caldwell adds another layer of intrigue to an inherently exciting game.

And the stakes are fairly high. The Broncos are 10-3, and the Ravens are 9-4. The winner will have the edge against the other in the inevitable game of AFC playoff pecking order.

Caldwell has never been an offensive play caller during his 12 NFL seasons or in college, when he was coaching the Colts he tanked games because he could not take the pressure of a perfect season, when making decisions he preferred to not be criticized than win a game, and when on the sideline his brain would appear to lock up when forced to make a decision.

I don’t know, I think you might be giving them too much credit when you use the plural “wits”. Probably between the two of them….

southpaw2k says:Dec 10, 2012 2:43 PM

If the Patriots lose tonight and the Ravens somehow pull a rabbit out of their collective hat Sunday, they’d be back in the driver’s seat for the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

That’s how much of a log jam the AFC is right now.

dukemarc says:Dec 10, 2012 2:44 PM

zerole00 says:
Dec 10, 2012 2:13 PM
Wow this is like Caldwill bringing a knife to a gun fight.
—————–

More like bringing a sharp stick to a ballistic missile fight.

peytonsneck18 says:Dec 10, 2012 2:56 PM

Robo-caldwell needs to be reprogramed

chb74 says:Dec 10, 2012 3:12 PM

Jim Caldwell looks perpetually confounded as to what planet he’s on, let alone how to direct an office. I’m not sure I even saw him blink during his entire time in Indy. Somehow I don’t think Peyton’s whimpering with fear over Caldwell’s promotion.

Normally, firing a coordinator late in the year on a playoff-bound team smacks of desperation. In this case, I think it was probably a good move as Cam proved to be incompetent, and the players may rally around Caldwell.

Then again, I don’t see the Ravens winning another game this year, with Ray Rice unleashing the Curse of the Terrible Towel…this team is doomed.

So somehow Caldwell is “dim witted”??? Lol Yeah O.K. Peyton is so good that he didnt need competent coaching???? Lol Caldwell is so stoopid thats why Peyton wanted him to be the successor to DUNGY, RIGHT? And because Caldwell is Stoopid is why Harbaugh wanted him to come to the Ravens and mentor Flacco in the same fashion he did Peyton??? Yeah it all makes sense!!!!! And lastly because Caldwell is so inept, stupid and useless that the Ravens felt comfortable firing Cam Cameron witj 3 games left before the playoffs!!!